Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1887-02-05

I
centreng at New York. also, to recognize and
respect these differentials. We may also claim
that whenever rates are cut from New lork,
Philadelphia or Boston, to "pooled points in
the West, the same rates shall be Immediately
extended to Baltimore; and further, that Balti-
more shall have under ali circumstances, the
same rates to Western points that are given to
certain well-known New York and New Eng
land manufacturing towns, which enjoy an ac-
tual advantage in not being classed as pooled
points," having, as they do, lower rates than
any that are accorded to Baltimore.
This, then, is the position of the Is. u y. X.
r., and from the experience of the past year,
and from the assurances received from Its
highest official, we are ready TO believe this to
be the policy that will shape its course
All the transportation lines centreing in Bal
timore, with a single exception, have, through
their managers, manifested Willingness to
concede to our business interests the protec-
ton which we demand. Thus, no complaint
has been made of Determinations against Bal
timore on Western shipments. our trans
portation committee reports that whenever
rates have been reduced from New York like
reduction has been made to our shippers.
The welfare of our city does not depend upon
any one channel of commerce: each railway
and steamship line centreing here contributes
to the general good, and such contribution Is
fully appreciated. But the position taken by
this association is one of responsibility, and its
duty to act in cases that involve the rights OF
shippers over lines that are chartered by our
people, is duty to be unhinchingly performed.
We desire to avoid an attitude of antagonsm,
| but we cannot shrink from any Issue that is |
! forced upon u.s. We have made resistance to |
| freight determinations against us, and i'll most |
cases, success has rewarded our efforts; still, |
the full power of this body has never been !
called forth. We have weapons In our |
| armory that up to this time, have never |
| been needed, but which we shall use |
with decisive effect, if occasion re-
Quire discrimination against Baltimore !!
that has existed for a year, calls for the best
efforts of this association to secure redress |
! Some months ago the attention of Mr.. Geo Z. |
Wilkins, general agent at this point Tor the |
Pennsylvania Railroad Company was called 10
discrimination against this city, which works
us the gravest injury and injustice. ANY right |
minded person, upon a mere statement of facts |
must perceive that this is so. 1t is to be adj |
mitted that in all the relations between tins
| association and the Pennsylvania Railroad
| Company uniform courtesy has been the rule, |
and that, usually, prompt redress has remedied
admitted grievances; but i'll this case we have
been met by persistent refusal to do justice to
| Baltimore
| The point is this: In consequence of a war
of rates between railway and water lines, the
| Pennsylvania Railroad has, for more than
] wear, been carrying freighs at greatly reduced
| rates from New York to Norfolk Fifteen
cents per 100 lbs tirst-class, is the rate from
New York to Norfolk, while 30 cents are
exacted from New York to Baltimore. lnas-
much as both Norfolk and Richmond are
among our strongest competitors for the
| Southern trade a most unfair advantage is
taken of this city. Norfolk is charged 10 cents
for haul of 1856 miles, while Baltimore is
! charged IS for haul of 200 1t is too obvious
| for discussion that this menaces our Virginia
| and North Carolina business. Representations
| have been made to the Pennsylvania Railroad
| Company in all patience and moderation.
| Argument and appeal have been exhausted
and all efforts TO reconcile the contending
| lines have failed. The Pennsylvania Railroad
| Company was urged to furnish 20-cent rate
| from New York to Baltimore, while the present
rates to Norfolk remain in force, your COM
mittee feeling assured that every merchant
would be willing to pay equitable rates when
| final settlement should be reached; but, after
considerable delay, the company declined this
request.
While, as your president, do not feel dis
posed to advise that this association should
place itself in an attitude of hostility to the
| Pennsylvania Railroad Company, | deem it
my duty to place the matter clearly before the
| community, in order that public opinion may
4 form itself fairly and exert its proper in1u-
ence. This whole community suffers Just as
the merchants do. Injustice to Baltimore
business affects every part of Baltimore life.
| The people OF Maryand have, by the state
constitution, ever since 1851 been guaran-
teed against freight determinations, and the
rights thus recognized under the organic law
can be enforced. Coerciye measures may be
of questionable utility. but it may be remenl-
| bered, at this point. that the Pennsylvania
| Railroad Company has acquired valuable fran
chses rom this city and is now the benet-
ciary of important privileges, which NAV be
recalled, and the time seems to be ripe for de-
| cisiye action. Unless we are met i'll conciia-
tory spirit by the company, and this flagrant
discrimination against us be removed, 1t will
| become necessary for this association to make
| its full weight felt i'll the Legislature OF this
state and the Council of this city. Should such
action become necessary, the counties, as well
as the cities of Maryland, would show that
they are in accord with us upon this great
| question.
| Since the inception of this association it has
earnestly worked to secure direct all-rail freight
! facilities with the Southern States The West
! ern Maryland Railroad Company, through its
connection at Roanoke, Va, has partially sup
! piled this necessity, and it is one of the needs
and hopes of the near future that the two
great lines running almost due North and
! South may open the gate at Alexandra, Va,
and offer their facilities to us.
| We believe that it would be to the interest of
these lines to be operated with a strict recogni
ton of the claims of Baltimore-it being the
first city reached in their northern course, pos
| sessing commercial and industrial interests OF
the first mportance-but, should either of
them. or both, pursue the opposite policy, in
caculable injury must result
| In the same connection the Philadelphia
branch of the Baltimore ana Ohio Railroad, as
already stated If operated in the interest of
!
position; but if operated in disregard of the in
terests Of this city, might cause uncounted
evils.
There may be very slight grounds for APP
prehensions of so grave nature, but the future
policy Of these lines should be carefully OBJ
served and the rates in force from cities north
of US diligently scrutinized.
Our safety must consist in tirelesS vigilance
and a resolution to maintain our rights in the
face of all opposition; and falling in this, we
/ mn inUnLya ba nj of oil trnIp nronniZa-
tons. the press of the cities and counties of
institutions, and all other levers of power in
ISOLATION should forthwith adopt means of
ascertaining promptly, two or three times per
month, the freight rates to and from other
cities, so that We may compare them with the
rates prevailing to and from this point. Thus
informed, we should know at any hour just
where we stand.
The strong effort made early in the year, TO
re-estapsh steamship communication between
this port and Charleston, which secured nearly
$4,000 in subscriptions, was discontinued
owing to the failure of the crops in the vicinity
of Charleston and the great disaster which !
befel the city itself Butt is not intended
that this enterprise shall be abandoned, but
only postponed until such time as affairs in |
that section resume their normal condition.
A memorial to Congress praying for a re- |
peal of the duty upon sugar imported from
such countries as impose no export duty upon |
that article, has been signed by the leading |
business houses Of this city. This seems very |
wise measure and should Congress take favor |
able action uOOn it il WOuld insure a great re- |